Softball Trades Wins at Mitchell Sunday

NEW LONDON, Conn.- The Eastern Nazarene College softball team split a key New England Collegiate Conference doubleheader at Mitchell Sunday afternoon. The Lions prevailed 9-8 in game one before falling to the Mariners 8-1.

GAME ONE
THE BASICS:
Score: Eastern Nazarene 9, Mitchell 8
Records: Lions (9-10, 3-0 NECC) | Mariners (9-6, 0-1 NECC)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Eastern Nazarene scored twice in the top of the first inning to seize a 2-0 edge. Taylor Brandt (Napa, Calif.) tagged up and motored home from third base on a sacrifice fly by Alex Schwenger (Danville, Calif.). Jennelle Munoz (Lake Elsinore, Calif.) laced a two-out single to right-centerfield to drive in Darcy Castro (Garden Grove, Calif.).
• The Lions plated two runs in the second to double their lead to 4-0. Bailey Olaveson (Lakeside, Calif.) drew a bases-loaded walk to knock in Caoimhe Wernsing (Brockton, Mass.) before Taylor Brandt (Napa, Calif.) crossed the dish as Darcy Castro (Garden Grove, Calif.) reached on a fielder's choice.
• Mitchell managed one run in the bottom of the second to cut the deficit to 4-1.
• The Mariners chalked up a run in the fifth to trim the gap to 4-2.
• The visitors generated five runs in the top of the sixth inning to widen the margin to 9-2. Alexys Giddings (Kuna, Idaho) roped a double to centerfield to drive in Darcy Castro (Garden Grove, Calif.) and Bailey Olaveson (Lakeside, Calif.). Yaya Bowden (Danbury, Conn.) scurried home from third base on an RBI groundout by Ashley Caldwell (Quincy, Mass.). Caoimhe Wernsing (Brockton, Mass.) raked a doubled to right-centerfield to plate Alexys Giddings (Kuna, Idaho) and Taylor Brandt (Napa, Calif.) followed with a base knock to score Caoimhe Wernsing (Brockton, Mass.).
• Mitchell responded with four runs in the home half of the frame to pull to within three, 9-6.
• The hosts rallied in the bottom of the seventh inning, tallying two runs but the comeback bid was thwarted as Eastern Nazarene earned a narrow 9-8 victory.
  

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Taylor Brandt (Napa, Calif.) racked up four hits, two runs scored, and one RBI.
• Alexys Giddings (Kuna, Idaho) notched a pair of base knocks, two RBIs, and one run scored.
• Caoimhe Wernsing (Brockton, Mass.) finished with two hits, two runs scored, and one RBI.
• Jennelle Munoz (Lake Elsinore, Calif.) recorded two hits and one RBI while Darcy Castro (Garden Grove, Calif.) added two runs scored, one hit, and one RBI.
• In the pitcher's circle, Jennelle Munoz (Lake Elsinore, Calif.) tossed her seventh complete game of the year and fanned two batters.

GAME TWO
THE BASICS:
Score: Eastern Nazarene 1, Mitchell 8
Records: Lions (9-11, 3-1 NECC) | Mariners (10-6, 1-1 NECC)


HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Mitchell opened the scoring with two runs in the bottom of the first inning to claim a 2-0 lead.
• The Mariners tacked on a run in the second to stretch their advantage to 3-0.
• The home side added a pair of runs in the third to widen the gap to 5-0.
• Mitchell picked up a run in the fourth inning to extend its lead to 6-0.
• Eastern Nazarene got on the board in the top of the fifth, producing one run to trim the deficit to 6-1. Alexys Giddings (Kuna, Idaho) slapped a two-out double to left-centerfield to drive in Yaya Bowden (Danbury, Conn.).
• The Mariners answered with two runs in the home half of the fifth to capture an 8-1 advantage.
  

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Caoimhe Wernsing (Brockton, Mass.) posted two hits.
• Alexys Giddings (Kuna, Idaho) finished with one hit and one RBI.
• Yaya Bowden (Danbury, Conn.) scored Eastern Nazarene's lone run.
• Alexys Giddings (Kuna, Idaho) threw five innings and registered one strikeout in her fifth start of the spring. Chelsea De Martini (Budd Lake, N.J.) worked one scoreless inning of relief in her first appearance of the season.

UP NEXT:
Eastern Nazarene steps out of conference to visit Regis April 4.